Weather Flight: keeping an eye on the horizon

WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- Senior Airman Franklyn, Kapuchuck, 509th Operations Support Squadron weather forecaster, observes weather patterns to prepare a briefing for the pilot’s pre-flight Sept. 13, 2012. B-2 Spirit pilots and key personnel are briefed prior to flight to ensure safety both in the air and on the ground. (U.S. Air Force photo/Heidi Hunt) (Released)

Weather Flight: keeping an eye on the horizon

WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. – Senior Airman Franklyn, 509th Operations Support Squadron weather forecaster, looks through a laser rangefinder to determine the visibility of a certain location Sept. 13, 2012. The binocular-like laser rangefinder is also used to manually detect the height of cloud bases. (U.S. Air Force photo/Heidi Hunt) (Released)

Weather Flight: keeping an eye on the horizon

WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- Senior Airman Franklyn Kapuchuck, 509th Operations Support Squadron weather forecaster, monitors weather radar and satellite Sept. 13, 2012. The Weather Flight uses radar and satellite information to brief pilots and key personnel to ensure aerial and ground missions are successfully executed. (U.S. Air Force photo/Heidi Hunt) (Released)

Weather Flight: keeping an eye on the horizon

WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- Tech. Sgt. Ryan Watts, 509th Operations Support Squadron, demonstrates an infrared temperature gun during his shift Sept. 13, 2012. The Weather Flight uses the device to take temperature readings and is primarily used in the winter to determine the rate at which snow melts. (U.S. Air Force photo/Heidi Hunt) (Released)

Weather Flight: keeping an eye on the horizon

Published Sept. 20, 2012
By Heidi Hunt
509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- Whether hot or cold; wet or dry; calm or stormy; clear or cloudy, the 509th Operations Support Squadron Weather Flight team supports the mission, and ensures the safety of Team Whiteman by protecting personnel and assets at all times.

The weather flight team creates tailored forecasts to ensure the safety of pilots flying out of Whiteman. They also provide notification should inclement weather occur here or during a flight.

"If storms should move into or around the area, we relay that information to pilots in the air to ensure safety, both in the air and on the ground," said Staff Sgt. Amy Dynan, 509th OSS weather forecaster.

The weather flight mission also involves force protection, requiring them to respond to inclement weather and advisories.

"If there is lightning within 50 nautical miles of the station, we inform pilots and key personnel," said Tech. Sgt. Ryan Watts, 509th OSS weather forecaster.

Providing real time weather updates allows the pilots to better perform their mission, which aids them in avoiding hazardous conditions and damaging assets, said Senior Airman Heather Rieck, 509th OSS weather forecaster.

In addition to analyzing weather conditions, the weather specialist team is always preparing for upcoming inspections and weather challenges associated with the changing weather seasons. Their hard work and due-diligence has paid off as the team was recognized as Air Force Global Strike Command's Weather Flight of the Year Awards for 2010 and 2011.

"In order to complete the mission as a team, we work together to provide information for all of Whiteman AFB," said Senior Airman Franklyn Kapuchuck, 509th OSS weather forecaster.